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Physical effort: Medium Posterior

The Sensual Scorpion: rear entry lying down, chest to back

The Sensual Scorpion is a rear-entry position lying down. The receiving partner lies face down with their chest on a large pillow and knees bent on the mattress; the penetrating partner lies on top of their back, legs stretched out behind, with their face next to their partner's. It offers a lot of body contact and room for kissing, at the cost of putting part of the giver's weight on the receiver's back.

Also known as: Scorpion · Sensual Scorpion

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Illustration of The Sensual Scorpion: The receiving partner lies face down on a large pillow with knees bent; the penetrating partner lies on their back, legs stretched out behind, face beside their
Anatomy and biomechanics

The receiving partner lies face down on the bed with their chest and head on a large, long pillow and arms folded under the head. The knees are bent and rest on the mattress, legs together, lower legs angled back, so the hips are slightly raised. The penetrating partner lies on top, facing the same way, chest against the receiver's back; their legs are stretched straight back with the toes on the mattress, and one arm reaches forward with the hand on the bed in front of the receiver's head. Penetration, vaginal or anal, is from behind with short movements of the giver's pelvis; depth is medium. The giver sets the pace. A good part of the giver's weight rests on the receiver's back, so the supporting hand and toes should take some of it.

Why this position works

Many couples like the closeness: the giver's chest covers the receiver's back and their faces are side by side, so you can kiss, whisper and feel each other's breathing. The receiver can relax on the pillow while the giver sets a slow, enveloping rhythm. Some people enjoy the feeling of being held and covered. The angle from behind can be pleasant for some, though sensations vary from person to person.

Deep Intimacy Sensory Exploration Medium Penis-Anus Configuration Penis-Vagina Configuration

Variations of this position

Variation 1: the receiver's legs stretched out

The receiving partner stretches their legs back instead of keeping the knees bent, and lies completely flat on the pillow.

The hips drop and the body lies flat, so the angle of entry becomes lower and penetration usually shallower. The thighs closer together increase the feeling of tightness for some couples.

  1. The receiving partner slides the knees back until the legs are straight and slightly apart.
  2. The pillow stays under the chest so breathing remains comfortable.
  3. The penetrating partner adjusts the angle by lowering their pelvis a little.
  4. Start with slow, short movements and use enough lubricant.

Variation 2: the penetrating partner rises on the arms

The penetrating partner straightens both arms, hands on the bed beside the receiver's shoulders, and lifts the chest off their back.

The receiver's position does not change, but they no longer carry the giver's weight. The giver gains room to move the pelvis, while chest contact and kissing are lost; it takes more effort from the arms.

  1. The penetrating partner places both hands on the bed beside the receiver's shoulders.
  2. They straighten the arms and lift the chest off the receiver's back.
  3. The legs stay stretched behind, on the toes.
  4. Lower back down onto your partner's back when your arms get tired.

Variation 3: the penetrating partner kneels

Instead of stretching the legs back on the toes, the penetrating partner rests the knees on the mattress on either side of the receiver's legs.

The knees take much of the giver's weight, so there is less load on the receiver's back and the giver has a steadier base. The pelvis sits a little higher, which changes the angle slightly.

  1. The penetrating partner bends the knees and rests them on the mattress, outside the receiver's legs.
  2. They keep the chest close to the receiver's back, with one hand on the bed.
  3. Adjust the height of the pelvis until the angle feels comfortable for both.
  4. Move slowly at first and check in with each other.

Variation 4: embrace and free hand

The penetrating partner wraps the free arm around the receiver's shoulders, and the receiver slides one hand under the hips to stimulate themselves.

The bodies stay in the same position; only the arms change. The embrace adds closeness, and the receiver's hand between the pillow and the hips allows extra stimulation of the clitoris or genitals at their own pace.

  1. The penetrating partner keeps one hand on the bed and passes the other arm around the receiver's shoulders.
  2. The receiver frees one arm from under the head and slides the hand beneath the hips.
  3. The pillow under the chest keeps enough room for the hand.
  4. Slow the rhythm so the receiver can coordinate their own touch.

✓ Tips

  • Use a large, firm pillow under the receiver's chest so they can breathe comfortably.
  • The penetrating partner should take part of their weight on the supporting hand and the toes, not rest it all on their partner's back.
  • Use lubricant; for anal sex, use plenty of it, along with a condom, and go slowly.
  • Keep movements short and controlled: if the penis slips out and you thrust again at an angle, it can bend and get injured.
  • Stop if there is pain or if the receiver feels short of breath.

Key facts

Interaction type
Vaginal or anal penetration from behind, lying down
Active anatomy
Penis
Receptive anatomy
Vagina or anus
Main stimulation
Vaginal or anal penetration from behind, lying down with full body contact
Setups and participants
Couple · 2 people Hetero

Frequently asked questions

Is lubricant necessary?

It is recommended for comfort in any penetration, and essential for anal sex, together with a condom.

What if the receiver feels too much weight?

The penetrating partner can rise on their arms (variation 2) or kneel instead of stretching their legs out (variation 3). Agree on a word or gesture to ask for less weight.

Is it suitable for beginners?

It is fairly simple, but the receiver bears part of the partner's weight and has little room to move. Go slowly and talk to each other; if it feels uncomfortable, try a variation with less weight.

Can we kiss in this position?

Yes: the giver's face is beside the receiver's, so turning the head is enough to kiss, although there is no eye contact.

Safety and evidence 2 topics · 3 clinical and academic references

Scientific context for common terms used on this page. Keeping these terms makes the content easier to understand; the sources clarify what is established and what remains uncertain.

G-spot: what the evidence says

“G-spot” is a widely used term for a sensitive area of the anterior vaginal wall. Scientific literature has not established a discrete anatomical structure with an agreed location, size and nature; sensitivity and response can vary between individuals.

Sources
O'Connell HE, Sanjeevan KV, Hutson JM. Anatomy of the clitoris. The Journal of Urology. 2005. PubMed ↗
Vieira-Baptista P, et al. G-spot: Fact or Fiction? A Systematic Review. Sexual Medicine. 2021. PubMed ↗

A-spot / AFE zone: limited evidence

The “A-spot” or AFE zone has been proposed to describe a deeper area of the anterior vaginal wall. Available evidence is limited and does not support presenting it as a confirmed anatomical structure.

Sources
Chua Chee Ann. A proposal for a radical new sex therapy technique… the AFE Zone Stimulation Technique. Sexual and Marital Therapy. 1997. Original article ↗

Reviewed by the editorial team ·

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